SPS with Kalk dosing

[newsalt]

Is it possible to keep a sucessful SPs reef tank without a CA reactor and dosing Kalk through an ATO?

 

[Fish_wiz2]

Ive been doing it for years. The only thing you need to keep in mind is kalk maintains cal/alk levels and should not be used to raise these levels. You need to supplement with a 2-part to adjust levels then use kalk to maintain it. Plus, you need to keep an eye of magnesium levels as people usually overlook that with kalk.

 

[newsalt]

Great. Do you think you can explain how I can hook up the Kalk with my ATO? My ATO is a gravity fed system that work with a level probe in my sump.

 

[Fish_wiz2]

Mix it straight in. I did 2 tbsp per gallon of kalk. There are articles where you also put in vinegar to make it more concentrated or something like that, never bothered doing it. Once your put it in, mix it throughly.

 

[bdsage]

in my experance kalk does raise cal/alk levels so i would test and does accordingly...i started with 1/2 tsp mrs.wages pickleing lime per.gal. and let it settle until clear...also watch ur sps they will tell u when ther not happy lol

 

[jerpa]

It is possible for kalk to raise your levels depending on your consumption and evaporation rate but it is impractical to try to use kalk to adjust them without large PH swings and precipitation. I dose kalk with a masterflex peristaltic pump on a timer. It totals roughly 4 gallons dosed over about 10 hours spread throughout the day.

 

[newsalt]

Should I monitor how much evap I get in 24 hours and then replace that amount over say 10 or 12 hours?

 

[reef_zombie]

I run Kalk in my ATO and still dose calcium.

 

[Chris Lakies]

SPS with Kalk dosing

Im running saturated kalk as top off and still need to dose 1.2 tsp of baked baking soda every day.

 

[myaerica]

The answer is yes I did it for years but, the day will come when the demand is to great for kalk to keep up with. I now have A calcium reactor and also use kalk. Kalk is great to keep up ph and is also A phospate binder.

 

[kawicivic]

my main source of dosing is kalk, but I supplement with 2 part now. I dose kalk using a reactor that stirs the mixture and a litermeter 3. I also use the litermeter 3 to dose the 2 part mixture using remote pumps. Not the cheapest option, but the litermeter doses more often than other options and I bought it before I had an apex. I am pretty sure I could replace it with dosing pumps, but I already have the litermeter and trust it 100%. The only issue I ever had was when it got dropped into saltwater during an upgrade, but that was obviously my fault. I've had to replace the tubing before as well, but since I bought it used, I learned my lesson and bought 2 replacements lines. Its got a run timer to remind you to do maintenance as well. All around a good product.

 

[ReefingHavoc]

Been using kalk for about 3 months and my SPS are encrusting like crazy. No other form of calcium supplements.

 

[newsalt]

This is what I was planning to do. Do you think this will work?

 

[jimmy n]

My only issue with kalk as ato (did this with success in Texas) is the lack of measurables. I like to be able to adjust accordingly, and ato relies on evaporation.